Israel says it has taken over 40 percent of Gaza city

Israeli military spokesman Effie Defrin said it has taken over 40 percent of Gaza City. Israel has stated it plans to take over the city in violation of international law. It has already destroyed thousands of homes and killed an unquantified number of people while doing so. 

Defrin said that its military operation is expected to escalate within the next few hours. Since the war started, over 63,000 Palestinians have been killed in the enclave. The war has been labelled a genocide by world leaders, historians and human rights organisations.